Our Team
At The Speech Spot, our team is dedicated to delivering patient-centered care in speech, language, and occupational evaluations and therapy. We focus on meeting each patient where they are and designing engaging, fun therapy sessions that pave the way for lasting success.
Our multi-disciplinary team consists of licensed clinicians with diverse expertise across various fields. With backgrounds in both educational and medical settings, our therapists bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Many of our team members also hold additional certifications, enhancing the care we provide.
Kate Robertson, M.A., CCC-SLP
Owner & Speech-Language Pathologist
Kate, owner of The Speech Spot, has 15 years of experience in the speech and language field. Kate brings experience from both private practice settings and Saint Louis Children's Hospital to her clients and team at The Speech Spot. She has experience working with a variety of children. She has worked with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, hearing impairment, visual impairment, cleft palate, articulation disorders, receptive/expressive language deficits, tongue thrust swallow, and phonological disorders. Kate has a true passion working with children diagnosed with apraxia of speech and is one of only 17 therapists in Missouri specializing in it! Kate is skilled in providing evaluations and assessments and has an eye for details. She excels in building rapport with her clients and always has a fun activity up her sleeve! Background & Education: - Masters of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from Northwestern University - Bachelors of Arts in Biology with a minor in Spanish from Saint Louis University Licenses/Certifications: - American Speech Language Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence - Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification - Hanen- "It Takes Two To Talk" Certified - Lidcombe Program for Stuttering - ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation) trained - PROMPT trained - apraxia of speech specialty - DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing) trained - apraxia of speech specialty
Marnie Alvord, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Marnie brings 3 years of experience in the occupational therapy field from the medical setting and school setting prior to joining The Speech Spot. Her time in these settings have given Marnie knowledge about children’s sensory and motor needs. Marnie has a particular interest in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and those who are deaf and hard of hearing. Marnie enjoys collaborating with other professionals and therapists to provide the best therapy for the clients she sees. Marnie also has vast experience working with children who use AAC devices. Background & Education: -Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University -Master of Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University Licenses/Certifications: -Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy Licensure -American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) member -Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD), SLU Chapter member -TASK Adult Day Center volunteer -English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher Skills: -CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) certified -CPR, first aid, and basic life support certified -Conversational Spanish and American sign language
Ally Burke, M.A, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Ally comes to The Speech Spot with 2 years of experience in the field of speech and language. She currently also works in the elementary school setting in addition to The Speech Spot. Ally has gained experience working with a variety of disabilities including speech sound disorders, phonological processes, Autism Spectrum Disorder, fluency disorders, and language impairments. She is committed to her clients and families and shares information in a compassionate and caring way. Background and Education: - Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Saint Louis University - Bachelors of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Saint Louis University License/Certification: - American Speech Language and Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence - Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
Speech-Language Pathologist
Emily brings 8 years of experience in the field of speech and language pathology to The Speech Spot. She previously worked through SSD at a local elementary school, a high school and an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Through these positions, Emily has gained experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities, speech-sound disorders, language disorders, fluency and voice disorders, social skill development needs, and those who use AAC devices. Emily likes to incorporate games, play, and literacy into therapy, when possible, to increase engagement. Background and Education: - Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Missouri State University - Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders with a minor in Psychology from Missouri State University Licenses/Certifications: - American Speech-Language Hearing Association - Certificate of Clinical Competence - Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification - Student Services Certificate from Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Skills: - ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation) trained
Elizabeth Dunn, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Elizabeth has 15 years of experience in speech and language therapy within a variety of settings. She specializes in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, articulation and speech impairments, phonological disorders, and language processing impairments. Liz has a particular passion for articulation disorders and language disorders. She easily develops rapport beyond the therapy setting, making her clients and families feel at ease during therapy. Background & Education: - Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Rockhurst University - Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Hearing Disorders from the University of Kansas. Licenses/Certifications: - American Speech Language Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence - Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification - Hanen- "It Takes Two To Talk" Certified - ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation) trained Additional information: - Presenter on Executive Function Skills and Strategies for Therapists and Teachers - Social Thinking Conference (Michelle Garcia Winner) Attendee - American Speech Language Hearing Association ACE award
Speech-Language Pathologist
Kate comes to The Speech Spot with 3 years of experience in the field of speech and language. She currently works as an AAC expertise for St. Louis schools. Previously, she worked in the elementary school setting. These various fields have given her experience working with a variety of disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, fluency disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbances, and gestalt language processing (GLP). She is a passionate and dedicated therapist committed to her clients and families. Background and Education: - Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Fontbonne University - Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Missouri State University License/Certification: - American Speech Language and Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence - Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
Haley Lynch, M.A, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Haley comes to The Speech Spot with 2 years of experience in the field of speech and language. She currently also works in the elementary school setting in addition to The Speech Spot. Haley has gained experience working with a variety of disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, fluency disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, intellectual disabilities, AAC, complex language learners, gender-affirming voice therapy, and feeding and swallowing. She is organized, detail-oriented and committed to her clients and families. Background and Education: - Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Saint Louis University - Bachelors of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Miami University of Ohio License/Certification: - American Speech Language and Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence - Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
Speech-Language Pathologist
Kristen brings 8 years of experience working in the speech and language field to The Speech Spot. She also works in an elementary school setting and has experience working in an acute care setting with adults, as well as some school setting experience with the middle and high school populations. She has experience working with students in the areas of articulation, phonological disorders, AAC, early language learning, language disorders as they relate to the educational setting, fluency, and she has worked with a variety of students on the Autism Spectrum. Background & Education: - Masters of Arts Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Truman State University - Bachelor of Health Science degree in the area of Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Licenses/Certifications: - Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association - Missouri Board of Healing Arts License in Speech Language Pathology
Speech-Language Pathologist
Allie brings 6 years of experience in the speech-language pathology field from the school setting. Her time in schools has given Allie knowledge in helping a variety of children with speech and language disorders as well as those using AAC devices. Allie has worked with children with high needs and shows true compassion and grace in meeting children where they are. Allie enjoys supporting and collaborating with parents and families during their therapy journeys. Background & Education: -Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Illinois University -Bachelor of Health Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Missouri Licenses/Certificates: -American Speech Language Hearing Association-Certificate of Clinical Competence -Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
Speech-Language Pathologist
Lauren comes to The Speech Spot with 8 years of experience in the field of speech and language. Lauren previously worked in the school setting and has experience working with a variety of disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, fluency disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances. Lauren works diligently for her clients’ well-being and will go above and beyond to meet the needs of her clients and families. Lauren is very passionate about forming lasting relationships with clients and their families. Background and Education: - Masters of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University - Bachelors of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University License/Certification: - American Speech Language and Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence - Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification - ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation) trained
Occupational Therapist
Katie has brought occupational therapy to The Speech Spot and brings over 25 years of experience in the field of Occupational Therapy. For the first 14 years of her career, Katie worked at BJC doing both pediatric home care and outpatient therapy at St Louis Children's Hospital. Katie has spent the last 9 years working for the Special School District as a school-based occupational therapist working with children from preschool through 8th grade. Katie has a particular interest and passion for sensory processing as well as making therapy fun, structured and child centered. Background and Education: - Masters in Occupational Therapy Graduate from The University of Missouri - Masters in Education from The University of Missouri Certifications: - Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy Licensure
Speech-Language Pathologist
Kate has 9 years of experience in the field of speech and language. Prior to joining The Speech Spot, Kate held a position with the Special School District in St. Louis County working with children from preschool through 8th grade. She has extensive experience treating children with Autism, clients utilizing augmentative communication devices, articulation disorders, fluency disorders, and receptive and expressive language disorders. She enjoys providing therapy that is fun and meaningful to clients and their families. Background and Education: - Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Saint Louis University - Bachelors of Science in Education from Saint Louis University Licenses/Certification: - American Speech Language Hearing Association -- Certificate of Clinical Competence - Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
Speech-Language Pathologist
Caitlin brings 13 years experience in the speech and language field primarily in the school setting prior to joining The Speech Spot. Her time in school settings has given Caitlin a vast knowledge about a wide variety of speech and language disorders. Caitlin has a particular passion and interest in the early childhood population, AAC, and phonological disorders. She enjoys building relationships with her clients as well as their families and is happy to provide strategies for carryover at home. Background & Education: - Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Kansas - Bachelor of General Studies in Speech, Language, Hearing Disorders from the University of Kansas Licenses/Certifications: - American Speech Language Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence - Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification - Speech-Language Pathology Certificate from Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing) trained - ReST trained (apraxia of speech specialty)